Commanding Officer of NAS Fallon, Capt. Evan Morrison, spoke at the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on June 17. Morrison, who has been the base commander since March of 2019, discussed the mission of NAS Fallon, the range modernization, advancements in weapons technology, and the base housing shortage.
The NAS Fallon Mission, Morrison said, “Is to provide the most realistic integrated air warfare training support available to carrier air wings, tenant commands, and individual units participating in training events, including joint and multinational exercises, while remaining committed to its assigned personnel.” He provided a snapshot of base personnel, reporting that there are currently over 2,700 full-time employees at the base including active-duty military personnel, government contractors, and civil service employees.
According to Morrison, NAS currently has an annual economic impact of over a half-billion dollars($517 million). The base currently occupies 8,670 acres, with the range area spanning over 232,000 acres, and the air space spanning over 6.5 million acres.
When discussing the base’s 21 tenant commands (units located on base that have a separate chain of command), Morrison explained that NAS Fallon’s Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) is the largest in the nation, supporting 52 aircrafts from F-18s up to the newest birds, the F-35s. They utilize two runways; one is over 14,000 feet long and a second at 11,000 feet. At present, there are currently two F-35Cs assigned with four more on the way.
Morrison stated that NAS Fallon training programs, attended by military personnel stationed locally and abroad, include pre-deployment training, graduate-level air warfare tactics for nine different platforms, and unit-level training.
The 2013 analysis of the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) identified severe weapons training deficiencies and an inability to meet current combat weapons tactics training. Given the large advances in weapons and tactics in the past three decades, the need to expand the FRTC continues to grow in lock-step with the new technological advancements. Morrison described differences between the older and newer weapons classes saying, “The Fallon ranges were originally designed for the older, dumb bombs. However, the newer weapons classes incorporate 'Smart Bomb' technologies for release at longer and higher distances that improve aircraft survivability and minimize collateral damage.”
NAS Fallon is also experiencing a housing shortage at a time when local housing is in high demand and base personnel is increasing. NASF is currently completing construction of 193 new homes, with 28 more becoming available within the next three months. However, that still leaves a shortage of over 50% with a total of 411 homes currently needed. Morrison did note, however, that the base owns an additional 400 acres on the north side of the existing housing development, therefore acquiring land for more housing is not an issue.
Morrison wrapped up his briefing by answering several questions from the attendees, undeterred by some pointed inquiries. He will continue in his efforts to keep the local residents up to date on base activities and NAS Fallon’s community impact.
The Chamber of Commerce holds its luncheon on the third Thursday of each month at 12:00 p.m., with the next one scheduled for July 15 at the Fallon Golf Course.
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